WO2009128048A1 - Condensateur accordable et commutateur utilisant des systèmes micro-électromécaniques avec matériau à changement de phase - Google Patents
Condensateur accordable et commutateur utilisant des systèmes micro-électromécaniques avec matériau à changement de phase Download PDFInfo
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- WO2009128048A1 WO2009128048A1 PCT/IB2009/051606 IB2009051606W WO2009128048A1 WO 2009128048 A1 WO2009128048 A1 WO 2009128048A1 IB 2009051606 W IB2009051606 W IB 2009051606W WO 2009128048 A1 WO2009128048 A1 WO 2009128048A1
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- phase change
- electrode
- change material
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- phase
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- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- 239000012782 phase change material Substances 0.000 title claims description 71
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- -1 tunable filter Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 8
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 8
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- NRTOMJZYCJJWKI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium nitride Chemical compound [Ti]#N NRTOMJZYCJJWKI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
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- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
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- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052732 germanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910021478 group 5 element Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
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- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000206 photolithography Methods 0.000 claims description 2
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- 229910052714 tellurium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052718 tin Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
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- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
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- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000560 X-ray reflectometry Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01G5/00—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture
- H01G5/16—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of distance between electrodes
- H01G5/18—Capacitors in which the capacitance is varied by mechanical means, e.g. by turning a shaft; Processes of their manufacture using variation of distance between electrodes due to change in inclination, e.g. by flexing, by spiral wrapping
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B3/00—Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
- B81B3/0064—Constitution or structural means for improving or controlling the physical properties of a device
- B81B3/0067—Mechanical properties
- B81B3/0072—For controlling internal stress or strain in moving or flexible elements, e.g. stress compensating layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2201/00—Specific applications of microelectromechanical systems
- B81B2201/02—Sensors
- B81B2201/0221—Variable capacitors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
- B81B2203/00—Basic microelectromechanical structures
- B81B2203/01—Suspended structures, i.e. structures allowing a movement
- B81B2203/0118—Cantilevers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B81—MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY
- B81C—PROCESSES OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- B81C2201/00—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems
- B81C2201/01—Manufacture or treatment of microstructural devices or systems in or on a substrate
- B81C2201/0161—Controlling physical properties of the material
- B81C2201/0163—Controlling internal stress of deposited layers
- B81C2201/0167—Controlling internal stress of deposited layers by adding further layers of materials having complementary strains, i.e. compressive or tensile strain
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/0094—Switches making use of nanoelectromechanical systems [NEMS]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a MEMS, being developed for e.g. a mobile communication application, such as switch, tunable capacitor, tunable filter, phase shifter, multiplexer, voltage controlled oscillator, and tunable matching network.
- the volume change of phase-change layer is used for a bi-stable actuation of the MEMS device.
- the MEMS device comprises at least a bendable cantilever, a phase change layer, and electrodes.
- a process to implement this device and a method for using is given.
- An example of the prior art is a capacitive RF MEMS switch, which can gain relatively large change of capacitance, due to change of distance or area between electrodes. However, these require an actuator to be controlled and response is slow.
- Another example is a tunable capacitor using ferroelectric or paraelectric material. The dielectric constant of these materials can be tuned by applying an electric field. Although these have a quick response for the electric field, the tuning ratio is relatively small.
- One embodiment is in the form of a tunable capacitor having a pair of stationary capacitor electrodes that are fixed to and disposed the same distance above a substrate in the vertical dimension.
- a tuning element is suspended above the substrate by an elevation system that accommodates movement of the tuning element in the vertical dimension. Changing the capacitance of the tunable capacitor is accomplished by moving the tuning element in the vertical dimension.
- WO0161848 Al discloses an arrangement for an integrated tunable resonator for radio and a method for producing the same.
- it relates to an RF resonator realized with a micro -mechanical tunable capacitor with high Q- (quality factor) value and a method for fabricating the same.
- the first conducting layer forms the first capacitor electrode, and/or the electrodes to create the electrostatic force on the movable micro- mechanical structure, and the interconnecting wire between the inductor coil and the capacitor electrode. It presents a substantial improvement to the linearity, power consumption, occupation space and reliability of RF resonator circuits.
- US2004012299 Al discloses an assembly of variable capacitance as well as a method of operating the assembly.
- a variable coverage or a variable distance of at least one first and one second electrically conductive region forms a variable capacitor.
- the first electrically conductive region is configured on or in a substrate and said second electrically conductive region is configured on or in an actuator element of a first micro-mechanical actuator.
- the actuator is disposed on the substrate in such a way that it can perform a movement of the actuator element with the second region along a surface of the substrate at different positions relative to the first region, at which positions the second region overlaps the first region at least partly.
- holding means are provided which are capable of pulling or pushing the actuator element in the different positions towards the substrate or a mechanical stop on the substrate, and of holding it in these positions.
- the assembly serves to implement a variable capacitance that presents a high stability in resistance to outside influences according to its respective setting.
- WO2007084070 discloses a thermally controlled switch with high thermal or electrical conductivity.
- Microsystems Technology manufacturing methods are fundamental for the switch that comprises a sealed cavity formed within a stack of bonded wafers, wherein the upper wafer comprises a membrane assembly adapted to be arranged with a gap to a receiving structure.
- a thermal actuator material which preferably is a phase change material, e.g. paraffin, adapted to change volume with temperature, fills a portion of the cavity.
- a conductor material providing a high conductivity transfer structure between the lower wafer and the rigid part of the membrane assembly, fills another portion of the cavity.
- the membrane assembly displaced and bridges the gap, providing a high conductivity contact from the lower wafer to the receiving structure.
- US6624730 Bl discloses a micro-relay device formed on a silicon substrate wafer for use in opening and closing a current path in a circuit.
- a pair of electrically conducting latching beams is attached at their proximal ends to terminals on the substrate. Proximal ends of the beams have complementary shapes, which releasably fit together to latch the beams and close the circuit.
- a pair of shape memory alloy actuators are selectively operated to change shapes which bend one of the beams in a direction which latches the distal ends, or bend the other beam to release the distal ends and open the circuit.
- the micro-relay is bistable in its two positions, and power to the actuators is applied only for switching it open or closed.
- Shape memory alloys have the disadvantage that they must be kept at a required temperature for actuation. This requires stand-by power. A clever design might allow for bi-stability, like a bimetallic actuator, optionally using hysteretic effects too.
- Phase change materials are known per se. Phase change materials change their volume significantly during crystallographic phase transition. For instance, a typical phase change material such as Ag5.5ln6.5Sb 5 9Te29, Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 and Ge 4 SbITe 5 decrease about 5-9 % in volume, when phase changing from amorphous phase to crystalline phase, at a temperature in a range of 130-200 0 C, as shown in Figure 1.
- the present invention is aimed at solving one or more of the above disadvantages.
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising at least one tunable capacitor, which capacitor comprises a MEMS, a top electrode, a bottom electrode, a volume forming a beam having sides comprising a phase change material, and preferably a dielectric material in between the phase change material and an electrode, a method of operating the same, and a method of manufacturing the same.
- the invention in a first aspect relates to a semiconductor device comprising a MEMS, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a volume forming a beam comprising a phase change material, wherein the volume preferably comprises a dielectric material in contact with the phase change material and preferably comprises a conducting layer, wherein the device is arranged to electrically and controllably change the volume of the phase change material by going from one phase to another, thereby changing the volume by 5-25%, preferably higher than 9%, such as higher than 15%, wherein said change preferably occurs within a temperature range of 50 - 500 °C, more preferably from 80 - 350 °C, more preferably from 100 - 200 °C, such as from 130 - 170 °C.
- the present MEMS itself is regarded to function as a micro-actuator, being of a small size and implementing a process. As such it can be used in a switch, in a tunable capacitor, or as a mirror, if provided with a reflective layer, or combinations thereof.
- MEMS structures are given in the drawings. It is noted that in fact the MEMS may be smaller than one micron, and therefore may also refer to a Nano type MEMS, also referred to as NEMS.
- a NEMS has advantages in terms of heat dissipation, being better if the NEMS is relatively smaller. As such, a further advantage is that a NEMS or a MEMS is easily integrated in CMOS technology.
- a first and a second electrode need to be present, the first electrode functioning as entrance and the second electrode functioning as exit of the electric current, or vice versa.
- the electrical resistivity of the material through which a current runs causes the PCM to warm up.
- the PCM may have any form, e.g. it may be in the form of a single electric return or entrance path (typically in combination with a conducting layer), of a meander structure, of a u-shaped electrical path, of a layer on top of a conductor, which conductor warms up the PCM indirectly by an electrical current applied, or combinations thereof.
- PCM For effective use of the present MEMS or micro-actuator the PCM should change significantly in volume. It is noted that not many materials in general, let alone PCM 's, qualify for this purpose, as the volume change thereof, going from a first to a second phase, is too small. Further, not many materials in general qualify to be changed in a controllable manner, let alone by applying an electrical current. Such as change should also be reversible, as the material should be able to return to its initial situation, that is with unchanged volume.
- the present phase change material changes it phase at a certain temperature or within a certain temperature range, going from a first phase to a second phase, such as from an amorphous phase to a crystalline phase, or vice versa, or from a first crystalline phase to a second crystalline phase.
- the phase change is preferably accomplished by applying an electrical current, which current causes the present phase change material to heat up, or by absence of said current, to cool down.
- the phase change results in a thermodynamically metastable or stable situation of the material, i.e. no phase change will take place by itself within a normal applicable time limit, such as minutes, or hours, or even years.
- a normal applicable time limit such as minutes, or hours, or even years.
- the volume of the present phase change material (PCM) will have changed.
- the present process is well controllable, by applying an electrical current which heats up the PCM to the required temperature, or by cooling.
- the present process is relatively quick, i.e. it takes place within a few microseconds. Adequate design allows for even shorter switching times. Examples of designs are given in the drawings.
- the present invention refers to a bi- stable actuation. It means that no electrical voltage is needed to maintain the position of the beam. An on current pulse is enough for that purpose.
- a (bi-)stable actuation is therefore very simple.
- a continuous actuation is possible by e.g. partial crystallization. It may also be achieved by segmenting the phase change layer and actuating a part of the beam, for instance by a multi-step actuation, for instance leading to multiple positions of the beam, or for instance leading to a stepped capacitor.
- the volume change of the present PCM allows for a design wherein the beam may be switched rapidly and in a controlled manner, by applying an electrical current.
- phase change material with a very high volume change, upon phase changing, is used, which volume change may be negative or positive. It is further preferred that the phase change or volume change is achieved at temperatures which may be established locally, by applying said current, which temperatures are not too high, and which are not too low.
- a too high temperature is more difficult to reach, be not very well controllable, not being reliable and may further have a detrimental effect on optional other components being present in the semiconductor device.
- a too low temperature may already be reached by environmental circumstances, such as the outside temperature, making the control of the switching more difficult.
- the volume forming a beam can be a bendable cantilever.
- the volume change of the phase-change layer is used for a bi- stable actuation of the MEMS device.
- the PCM is encapsulated to prevent the material against environmental influences, such as oxidation, and further to control phase transition better. If the PCM is melted it might flow and by encapsulation such a flow is prevented. As such the lifetime as well as cycle-time are improved. Details of how to make such a configuration can be found in co-pending EP07115899 in the name of the same applicant, entitled "An electronic component, and a method of manufacturing an electronic component" (internal reference 81054762EP01). The disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated by reference.
- a high tunability which may depend on material composition, such as having an ⁇ max / ⁇ min of more than 5, preferably more than 10, such as more than 20, or even more than 50, such as more than 100; it retains a stable position of the capacitance; it has a smaller size compared to a capacitive RF MEMs switch, e.g. a capacitive RF MEMS switch behaving like a mass-spring system, actuated by electrostatic force, which actuation is a function of the capacitance and the bias voltage.
- a capacitive RF MEMs switch e.g. a capacitive RF MEMS switch behaving like a mass-spring system, actuated by electrostatic force, which actuation is a function of the capacitance and the bias voltage.
- a large area of electrodes facing each other is needed in the prior art. (see e.g.
- US6,954,348 Bl as an example thereof.
- a very high strain ( ⁇ 9% deformation) of material itself is used, which allows to make a comparably small size device.
- the temperature of the beam (comprising a phase change material) is controlled by applying a current through the material for the beam.
- a same or similar scheme for controlling temperature for the system may be used, wherein an array present can be used as a heater, allowing a high accuracy and reliability of the present tunable capacitor.
- typically electrical properties are in the present respect detrimentally affected by temperature, for instance, electrical resistivity of metals increases with temperature, while the resistivity of semiconductors decreases with increasing temperature in general. Therefore, controlling temperature can provide an accurate electrical response, independent of circumstances, e.g. one of a resistor or capacitor present may be a temperature sensor, as shown in e.g. Fig. 4. - the present invention provides a combination of electric and thermal tuning.
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, wherein the phase change material comprises a Group V and Group VI element, preferably a composition comprising Sb-M, wherein M being one or more elements selected from the group of Ge, In, Ag, Ga, Te, Zn, Sn, for instance; Ag 5 . 5 In6.5Sb59Te29, Ge0.08-0.4Sb0.1-0.33Te0.5-0.66, Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 , Gei Sb 2 Te 4 , GeISb 4 Te 7 and Ge 4 SbiTe5, and combinations thereof.
- These materials have a large volume change, such as more than 5%, which volume change is achieved at relatively low temperatures, e.g. around 150 °C.
- phase transition of these materials is well controlled, e.g. by applying an electrical current which current forms heat. It is envisaged that also any phase change material, which can provide a high volume change at a temperature being close enough to room temperature, such as organic or polymer material, may be used, as well as combinations thereof.
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, further comprising a bottom or top electrode present on one or more sides of the phase change material and one electrode on one or more sides of the dielectric material, preferably at a side enabling electrical contact with the second electrode.
- the device forms a switch, operable by an electrical current. For examples thereof see e.g. Figs. 2-4.
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, wherein the phase change material changes in volume by going from one phase to another by a negative amount or by a positive amount.
- the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, wherein the beam is arranged to allow movement in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction. Depending on requirements the device may need to operate in a horizontal or in a vertical direction, or combinations thereof.
- the present inventions relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the invention, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate, such as a Si wafer, preferably a (100) Si wafer; deposition of a dielectric layer, preferably with a thickness of 100 nm - 1000 nm, such as 500 nm, preferably formed of AI2O3, S13N4, SiO 2 ; - bottom electrode layer deposition, forming a layer, preferably with a thickness of 30 nm -300 nm, such as 100 nm, preferably formed of a conducting material, preferably formed of copper (Cu), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN), gold (Au), platinum (Pt) and combinations thereof; patterning said layer by standard optical lithography; - followed by etching of said layer forming the bottom electrode; sacrificial layer deposition, preferably with a thickness of 200 nm -2
- the present inventions relates to a method of operating a semiconductor device according to the invention, comprising the steps of: applying a voltage difference over the first electrode and second electrode; changing the volume of the phase change material, thereby bending the beam; and relieving the voltage difference.
- the method of operating further comprises the steps of applying a second voltage difference over the first electrode and second electrode, thereby re-crystallizing the phase change material, and relieving the second voltage difference.
- the step of actuation or applying a voltage difference over the first electrode and second electrode may comprise the following steps: 1) Heat the PCM strongly, and thereafter cool the PCM fast, resulting in a first amorphous switch state; 2) Then heat moderately, keeping the PCM a short while at a given temperature resulting in a second recrystallized switch state, and then in order to obtain an optionally next movement of the beam,
- step (1) This is similar as for standard phase change switching.
- Fig. 1 shows temperature dependence of volume for phase change material.
- Fig. 2a shows a structure of proposed tunable capacitor, single beam structure. (X-section).
- Fig. 2b shows a structure of proposed tunable capacitor, single beam structure. (X-section)
- Fig. 3 shows a structure of proposed tunable capacitor (top down)
- Fig. 4 shows a part of the meander comb structure for the horizontal movement (X-section)
- Fig. 5 shows a method of manufacturing a MEMS.
- Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment in cross-section.
- Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment for contacting the phase change material (top view).
- Fig. 8 shows variations of the process flow.
- Fig. 1 shows temperature dependence of volume for phase change material.
- Film thickness of AgInSbTe, Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 and Ge 4 SbITe 5 films as a function of increasing annealing temperature as measured by X-ray reflectometry. Crystallization, which leads to a sudden decrease in film thickness, is observed at 155°C for AgInSbTe, 130 0 C for Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 and 170 0 C for Ge 4 SbiTe 5 . To facilitate a comparison of different data sets, all thicknesses are normalized with respect to the thickness of the as-deposited film. Crystallization leads to a 5.5% thickness decrease for AgInSbTe, a 6.5% thickness decrease for Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 and 9% thickness reduction for Ge 4 SbITe 5 .
- Fig. 2 a, b show X-sectional view of proposed structures.
- a beam is supported by a dielectric insulation, which can be a sacrificial layer intentionally left during removal of the sacrificial layer.
- an additional dielectric layer is inserted to insulate a phase change material against an electrode and in this way electric pulse (generating heat) can go through the phase change material without interruption of the electrode.
- an electrode typically has a lower resistivity than a phase change material, an electrical current will go through the metal instead, and it is preferred to separate the metal from the phase change material, by e.g. a dielectric, to heat the phase change material efficiently.
- a metal is a good heat conductor, which is beneficial for a fast cooling of the layer.
- phase change material contracts and causes a compression stress in optional other layers present, specifically between 20-500 ° C, which stress depends on the material used.
- the asymmetric (bi- or multi-layer) structure of the beam is essential for bending the beam by the tensile stress of the phase change material and the compressive stress of the other layers.
- the non-zero stress gradient in the layer stack causes the beam to bend (Fig. 2 (a2,b2)).
- the neutral plane (no stress) should be outside of the phase change layer for best performance.
- the situation can be optimized by choosing a compliant isolator between the metal electrode and the phase change material. This behavior depends on composition of materials of the beam, structure and the length of the beam.
- phase change material can be melted at 500-600 ° C, where after a quick cooling of the melting material forms amorphous phase. It is noted that typically this is a slow and irreversible process, specifically when large volumetric changes are involved and/or crystal lattice restructuring. It is therefore limited to specific relatively fast changing materials, such as those chosen in the present invention. Further a phase change may depend on the size of the material chosen. At present, the dimension of the beam is of nano- or micrometer order, that allowing the switching to be fast. The present invention provides the designs and materials to switch in less than a microsecond. This time is enough to set and reset the phase.
- phase change material is being held with side electrodes or cover layers (Fig. 8) to keep the shape of the material when it melts.
- Another option could be to deposit the material in trenches, which lowers the risk of creep even lower, but involves more complicated processing steps.
- the area and the length of the phase change material should be minimized so that the material can be melted completely with a certain speed. For instance, if the thickness of the supporting insulation layer is from 200 nm-2 ⁇ m, preferably from 300 nm-2 ⁇ m, more preferably from 300 nm-1 ⁇ m, such as 500nm.
- the total thickness of the beam is from 50 nm-500 nm, preferably from 70 nm- 500 nm, more preferably from 70 nm- 250 nm, such as lOOnm.
- the length of the phase material can be from 1 um-30 ⁇ m, preferably from 1 um-lO ⁇ m, more preferably such as around 3um, to switch between electrodes. These numbers have further been confirmed by a model calculation. A capacitive output is gained between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
- the integration of this capacitor is similar as any other MEMS structure and the phase change material, compatible with standard IC processing.
- Figure 3 shows a top-down view of a proposed structure; (a) an example for a bean supported only one side (single beam structure), (b) a beam supported both side.
- FIG. 3 Structure of proposed tunable capacitor (top down)
- Fig. 4 a part of the meander comb structure for the horizontal movement (X-section)
- Fig. 5 shows a method of manufacturing a MEMS.
- a dielectric material (100) is deposited on a substrate (110), such as Si.
- a bottom electrode (230) is formed.
- a sacrificial layer (220) is deposited, typically being a dielectric layer.
- a container for a side electrode (330) is formed by patterning and etching the sacrificial layer, followed be depositing a conducting material.
- the conducting material is than partly removed, e.g. by etching and/or planarization.
- a further layer (440) such as a Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is deposited and thereafter planarized, such as by CMP.
- PCM Phase Change Material
- a further dielectric layer (500) is deposited, patterned and etched.
- a further conducting layer (530), forming part of the top electrode is deposited, patterned and etched.
- the sacrificial layer is partly removed by etching thereof.
- the contact to the right electrode is made in the same way as to the left electrode by the metallization 530, but at the side of the beam.
- the layers 500 and 530 need to be patterned anyhow so that this contacts are made in the same mask and process steps.
- the top metallization 530 can be used for further routing the electrical currents and signals to control units and signal pads.
- Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment in cross-section (a) and top- view (b). It contains two variations: 1) Loop of phase change material (602): One metal layer could be saved.
- the MEMS layer 601 should be an isolator or intrinsic semiconductor. 2) This option uses a galvanic series contact 603, 605 for making contact.
- the dashed lines 604 indicate the attachments of the MEMS beam to the substrate.
- Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment for contacting the phase change material (top view).
- the phase-change layer 702 forms a resistor of lower absolute value than the design of Fig. 6.
- This Figure demonstrates that appropriate electrode (703) and phase change layer shape can match the resistance to the driving electronics.
- Fig. 8 shows variations of the process flow: cover phase-change material with an inert layer 806. More variations are thinkable: E.g., segment phase change layer to avoid large sections, which might minimize the risk of material migration.
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Abstract
La présente invention porte sur un système micro-électromécanique (MEMS), développé pour, par exemple, une application de communication mobile, tel qu'un commutateur, un condensateur accordable, un filtre accordable, un déphaseur, un multiplexeur, un oscillateur commandé en tension et un réseau d'adaptation accordable. Le changement de volume de la couche à changement de phase est utilisé pour un actionnement bistable du dispositif MEMS. Le dispositif MEMS inclut au moins un cantilever courbable, une couche à changement de phase et des électrodes. L'invention concerne un procédé pour mettre en œuvre ce dispositif et un procédé pour l'utiliser.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN2009801135291A CN102007559B (zh) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-17 | 使用具有相变材料的mems的可调谐电容器和开关 |
US12/988,223 US20110038093A1 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-17 | Turnable capacitor and switch using mems with phase change material |
EP09732707A EP2269201A1 (fr) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-17 | Condensateur accordable et commutateur utilisant des systèmes micro-électromécaniques avec matériau à changement de phase |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP08154837 | 2008-04-18 | ||
EP08154837.2 | 2008-04-18 |
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WO2009128048A1 true WO2009128048A1 (fr) | 2009-10-22 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2009/051606 WO2009128048A1 (fr) | 2008-04-18 | 2009-04-17 | Condensateur accordable et commutateur utilisant des systèmes micro-électromécaniques avec matériau à changement de phase |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20110038093A1 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP2269201A1 (fr) |
CN (1) | CN102007559B (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2009128048A1 (fr) |
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US9419213B2 (en) | 2014-06-06 | 2016-08-16 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Directly heated RF phase change switch |
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WO2011057844A1 (fr) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Dispositif de système nano-électromécanique non volatil |
CN102456735B (zh) * | 2010-10-27 | 2013-11-13 | 中国科学院微电子研究所 | 半导体器件制造方法 |
CN102456735A (zh) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-16 | 中国科学院微电子研究所 | 半导体器件及其制造方法 |
US9419213B2 (en) | 2014-06-06 | 2016-08-16 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Directly heated RF phase change switch |
EP3032598A1 (fr) * | 2014-12-10 | 2016-06-15 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Condensateur à capacité variable comprenant une couche de matériau à changement d'état et un procédé de variation d'une capacité d'un condensateur |
FR3030115A1 (fr) * | 2014-12-10 | 2016-06-17 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Condensateur a capacite variable comprenant une couche de materiau a changement d'etat et un procede de variation d'une capacite d'un condensateur |
US9824825B2 (en) | 2014-12-10 | 2017-11-21 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Capacitor of variable capacity, comprising a layer of a phase change material, and method for varying the capacity of a capacitor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20110038093A1 (en) | 2011-02-17 |
CN102007559B (zh) | 2012-09-05 |
CN102007559A (zh) | 2011-04-06 |
EP2269201A1 (fr) | 2011-01-05 |
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